A LIFEBOAT almost capsized in wild seas on a rescue mission to save an “idiot” surfer during Storm Ciara.
The hero RNLI crew had a lucky escape after their boat was battered by ferocious waves off the coast of Hastings as 93mph winds tore through Sussex.
Terrifying footage captured the moment the vessel is thrown around in the treacherous conditions before a huge wave slams into its side forcing it out of the water and almost flipping over
Storm Ciara left a devastating trail of destruction as 97mph winds and torrential downpours battered the nation sparking major floods.
The volunteers from RNLI Hastings were en route to rescue the surfer who became separated form his board.
Paul Hogg, who uploaded footage of the rescue mission, said: “Brave boys from RNLI off out to rescue some idiot surfer off Hastings in Storm Ciara. Come home safe boys.”
Richard Connolly uploaded footage of the surfer getting into difficulties.
He said: “This is the surfer when he lost his board and it went from bad to worse for him.
“He even refused help from standers by. He could have prevented this whole scene with the rescuers.”
The surfer is seen thrashing around in the water as waves drag him further out to sea.
The Hastings branch of the RNLI said in a statement online: “After a dramatic video has been posted most of you know that we’ve been out on a shout but we’re happy to report that we’re all safe, well and uninjured and the boat is undamaged and safely berthed next to RNLI Eastbourne.
“We’re on our way back to Hastings now.”
Forecasters dubbed Ciara the storm of the century and warned 2in of snow would follow on Monday along with sub-zero temperatures.
The 12-hour pummelling saw fallen trees flatten cars, turned a towering crane into “spaghetti” and even crumpled a football stand.
Manchester City’s Premier League tie with West Ham at the Etihad Stadium was among a host of sporting events postponed.
The announcement came as 4in of rain sparked hundreds of flood warnings and alerts and homeowners battled to bail out.
One of the worst-hit areas was Cumbria where residents fought a losing battle to keep the water from engulfing their homes.
The storm cut off villages, left over 13,000 homes in the Midlands, the south west and Wales without power and sparked travel chaos on air, land and sea.
Dozens of flights were grounded, hundreds of rail passengers were stranded and ferry services were abandoned.
The winds were so strong one record-breaking transatlantic flight from New York to Heathrow was propelled through the air – and arrived two hours early.
London’s eight Royal Parks, which include Hyde Park and Regent’s Park, were all closed, along with Great Windsor Park in Berks.
The storm cut off villages, left over 13,000 homes in the Midlands, the south west and Wales without power and sparked travel chaos on air, land and sea.
Uk-wide at least 33,000 homes were left with no power.
Flood-ravaged homes in Blackpool and nearby Whalley – hit by the Boxing Day floods in 2015 – have been evacuated.
A train full of passengers crashed into a tree in Swanley, Kent after it blew onto tracks and a hotel in the Scottish Borders collapsed amid ferocious winds.
No-one was injured but the smash sparked major delays and a rescue operation.
Meanwhile a hotel in Hawick, Scotland was destroyed and collapsed into flood water.
The Met Office issued a red weather warning – which means there could be a risk to people’s lives – and predicted it could be the worst storm of the century.
